“The children of Flint need to hear a new message. They need to know they are not victims of a cruel society. They need to hear a message of empowerment. They need to be shown that they too can lead a productive and successful life. It is theirs for the taking if they are willing to demonstrate the strength and determination it takes to succeed.”
- Lisa Leimeister, Academy Director for Greater Heights Academy
The Charter School Development Corporation is a school management corporation which promotes choice, competition, and excellence in education by financing and building great charter schools. A loan from PCG made it possible for them to purchase and renovate a building in Flint, Michigan for the new Greater Heights Academy.
Schools in Flint have struggled to educate their students amidst a decline in the area’s automotive industry. Between 2007 and 2011, 24% of Flint residents were unemployed, creating an environment in which it is difficult for students to learn. In 2010, 8th grade reading proficiency was only 51.7%, and math proficiency was only 41.7%. The Charter School Development Corporation believes Flint’s students deserve better. Their new charter school, Greater Heights Academy, seeks to bring a proven charter school model to Flint. Greater Heights is modeled after nearby Holly Academy, which attracted attention when it rose from being a troubled school to being among the best in the Detroit area.
With help from Partners for the Common Good and NCB Capital Impact, CSDC provides K-8 students in Flint with an exceptional educational facility that not only educates 205 students but also offers afterschool programs, free tutoring, a parent university, and an annual community festival.
